After 132 years, India formally shuts down its military farms

Indian Army on Wednesday formally disbanded its military farms after being in service for 132 years. 

The military farms supplied over 3.5 crore litres of milk and 25000 MT of hay every year.

"After 132 years of glorious service to the nation, curtains were drawn on this organisation," Indian Army said.

All the officers and workers have been redeployed within the ministry to continue providing service to the organisation.

Created in February 1889, the military farms' sole requirement was to supply cow's milk to troops billeted in various garrisons across British India. 

After independence, the farms flourished with 30,000 heads of cattle in 130 military farms across India in varied agro-climatic conditions. 

In the late 1990s, military farms were established even in Leh and Kargil to supply fresh milk to troops at their locations daily. 

"Another major task was the management of large tracts of defence land, production and supply of baled hay to animal holding units," the Army said, adding, "It is credited with pioneering the technique of artificial insemination of cattle and introduction of organised dairying in India."

The military farms did a remarkable job during the 1971 war as well as during the Kargil operations by supplying milk to all war fronts.

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